Our Town’s Graduations: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) 2025 Eighth Grade Graduation – “Go Lancers!” – was held on Friday, May 30 at 2 pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. The graduates processed into the church to “Pomp and Circumstance,” wearing a traditional cap and gown in the school colors of blue and white. Students were adorned with flower leis, and gold or red cords awarded for different levels of scholastic achievement. 

The over two-hour ceremony began with a mass, led by Pastor Fr. Lawrence Seyer with the students reading various passages. The music portion of the mass was led by Ms. Eun Kim. 

Following the mass, the graduation ceremony began with the blessing of the graduates’ handmade autobiography books, which they presented to their families with a long stem rose. OLMC Principal Tracie Simolon and the teachers – 8th grade homeroom teacher who taught Literature and Religion, Mary Beth Lee, Eun Kim, Pre-Algebra & Science; Kyla Rightmer, Algebra; Angela Pangan, Writing; and Lauren Bergesen, History – recognized each of graduates for their unique gifts and talents. 

The annual awards were given as follows: 

Citizen of the Year: Emily Hayman and Cade McCallister

Altar Server: Vincent Simolon and Reid Olesen

Lancer of the Year: Levi Gritt and Mia Desales

Spirit Award: Lillian Van Eyck

Simolon acknowledged the parents of the students and presented a certificate of recognition to parents for whom this graduation is for the last child they have sent through the school. Fr. Seyer and Simolon conferred the diplomas to the graduates and charged them as graduated. 

The Student Address was given by the graduating class’s Student Body President, Madison Murphy, who recapped their experiences, friendships, and provided inspiration going forward.

Simolon concluded the program with her commencement statement to the graduates, “The Class of 2025 exemplifies what it means to be a Lancer! This class is filled with leaders and hardworking students, with servant disciples and high achievers. What stands out most about this group of students is the love they have for one another and how seriously they take the responsibility of being positive role models for their younger school mates. They set an example for our school community, and we look forward to cheering them on in their future endeavors!”

The OLMC Eighth Grade 2025 graduates are:

Skyler L. Carroll, Rockston C. Cavalli, Ruby S. Clay, Catherine A. Conlan, Nathalie L. Contreras, Mia N. Desales, Nathaniel H. Duva, Hudson H. Findley, Cailyn R. Gillen, Levi C. Gritt, Paul M. Hansen, Emily B. Hayman, Sarah L. Hayman, Amelia S. Isaac, Celin Llanos, Cade D. McCallister, Madison M. Murphy, Ekaterina I. Nikolov, Reid A. Olesen, Nathan T. Orta, Jacob M. Perez, Bruno C. Rakowski, Noah J. Rodriguez, Vincent J. Simolon, Camila S. Tovar, Lillian P. Van Eyck, and Wentao (Steven) Zheng. 

Cold Spring School

The Cold Spring School Sixth Grade 2025 Graduation – “Go Dolphins!” – was held on Tuesday, June 10, at 8:30 am in the school’s auditorium. The front entrance fence to the school campus had an oversized black and white portrait of each graduate on view. Balloons and ribbons in the school colors and dolphin mascot decorated the auditorium where the program commenced with a slide show to inspirational music with photos of the grads at each grade level. Songs like “Kiss the Sky” by Maren Morris from The Wild Robot, accompanied the photos. The slideshow was put together by graduating student Wyatt Carlson. After the video, the grads processed to the stage and sang, “We’re All in This Together” by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, led by Music Specialist Sara Di Salvo. 

CSS Superintendent and Principal Amy M. Alzina EdD, opened the ceremonies with her welcome and thanks to the parents, grandparents, teachers, and staff. She asked the students to stand and thank their parents, which they did as a group on stage. Alzina, fighting back the happy tears, shared, “Your hearts are as powerful as your minds. In my 20 years as a principal, you are my favorite class, I have gone to college with some of your parents! As the school year draws to a close, I am honored to celebrate the incredible sixth grade class of 2025 at Cold Spring School. This group of students stands out not only for their academic achievements, but for their commitment to innovation, creativity, and compassionate leadership. Throughout the year, these students have embraced cutting-edge AI tools to personalize and enhance their learning experience. From diving into research and writing with support from Khanmigo, to expressing their creativity through Adobe Express, and music generation using Suno AI, they have demonstrated that when technology meets curiosity, the possibilities are endless. Equally inspiring has been their growth as leaders. Through Stephen Covey’s Leader in Me program, our sixth graders have developed the confidence, communication skills, and sense of purpose needed to be thoughtful, service-minded individuals. Whether planning student-led initiatives, mentoring younger peers, or welcoming children from Los Angeles displaced by wildfires with compassion and empathy, they’ve led with heart and integrity. This class exemplifies what it means to be future-ready! They are equipped with the tools, mindset, and values to thrive in an ever-evolving world. To our sixth graders: thank you for the joy, inspiration, and leadership you’ve brought to Cold Spring School. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish next.”

She was followed by the grads 6^th grade teachers, Linda Edwards and Kelly Orwig, who each provided their comments. The commencement speech was given by Student Body President, Jake Miller, who said, “It hasn’t always been easy, we worked hard. Thank you to our teachers who believed in us even when we didn’t. Thank you to our families for cheering us on, always being there with love and support. We’ve done a lot together. Graduating means we are ready for what comes next. We are ready. We are strong, smart, and full of great ideas. As we walk out of here let’s keep being the best versions of ourselves. The future is full of possibilities, and it starts now. Congratulations class of 2025.”

Next came the presentation of awards by Alzina, and teachers Edwards, Orwig, DiSalvo, Ryan Francisco, Amber O’Neill, Jill Wolf, and Shekinah Bryant, as follows:

Alyssa Smelley Citizenship Award: Mila Elliott and Harrison Barlow

Principal’s Awards: Scarlett Kane and Mackenzie Bloom

Grit Award: Mila Hueber and William Walters

Outstanding Athletes: Makenzie Bloom, Colton Bryant, Griffin Sparks, Lachi Jacobsen, Bodhi Hawkins, and Mila Elliott

Drama Award: Ellie Kane, Ari Bijan, Mila Hueber, and Jude Santos

Music Award: Asher Wheeler and Anton Rubi-Dentzel

Triple Threat: Evie Ohlgren

Art Award: Ava Daughters

STEAM Award: William Bakey, Oliver Roy, and Hope Weintraub

Creative Spirit: Meadow Stevens

Tech and Leadership: Tucker Copus

Math Award: Rose McQuade, Harrison Barlow, Lincoln Quivey, and Caitlin McCorkell

Writing Award: Alexis Montanaro and Kylee Denu

Personal Best: Ella Arconian, Scarlett Kane, William Waleters, and Wyatt Carlson

Alzina introduced the CSS Board, Michael Marino Esq., Trevor Pattison, Gabrielle Haas, Jennifer Miller,and Elke Kane Esq.Alzina, the board, and the sixth-grade teachers presented the diplomas, and the traditional reading of each students’ views of themselves 10 years from today. 

Closing remarks were given by Alzina, followed by huge applause for the graduates and the annual MJ photo by yours truly. The Cold Spring School 2025 6^th grade graduates are: 

Ella Arconian, William Bakey, Harrison Barlow, Ari Bijan, Makenzie Bloom, Colton Byrant, Wyatt Carlson, Tucker Copus, Ava Daughters, Kylee Denu, Mila Elliott, Bodhi Hawkins, Mila Hueber, Lachlan Jacobsen, Ellie Kane, Scarlett Kane, Caitlin McCorkell, Rosalyn McQuade, Jake Miller, Alexis Montanaro, Evelyn Ohlgren, Lincoln Quivey, Oliver Roy, Anton Rubi-Dentzel, Jude Santos, Griffin Sparks, Meadow Stevens, Louisa Walmsley, William Walters, Hope Weintraub, and Asher Wheeler.